Setting the Stage
The first FBS game of the 2025 season kicks off in Las Vegas as the UNLV Rebels host the Idaho State Bengals at Allegiant Stadium. It’s the earliest game in Rebel history, the debut of Dan Mullen as head coach, and the first chance for UNLV fans to see a roster almost entirely reshaped through the transfer portal.
Kickoff is set for 1:03 p.m. PT. The game will air on the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network/Mountain West Network and be broadcast on ESPN 1100 AM/100.9 FM in Las Vegas.
UNLV Rebels (0–0, 0–0 Mountain West)
A Program on the Rise
The Rebels are coming off their best season in 40 years:
11–3 overall record, the program’s third double-digit win season ever (1974, 1984, 2024).
Mountain West runner-up and LA Bowl champions (24–13 vs. Cal).
First-ever final Top 25 ranking (No. 23 AP, No. 24 Coaches, No. 24 CFP).
A school-record 35.4 points per game, ranked 15th nationally.
243.5 rushing yards per game (7th nationally).
17 interceptions forced in 2024, part of an FBS-best 49 since 2022.
Roster Reset
This season brings extreme turnover. UNLV returns just two starters, RB Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas and LB Marsel McDuffie, the fewest in the nation.
Mullen retooled with 33 transfers from Power Four schools, including 12 from the SEC. Florida, LSU, and Arizona State are the most common sources of recruits.
Offensive Leaders
RB Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas – 918 yards, 7 TDs in 2024; on Maxwell, Doak Walker, Walter Camp watch lists. Already 9th in UNLV history with 19 rushing TDs.
QB Anthony Colandrea (Virginia transfer) – 17 career ACC starts, 2,125 yards, 13 TDs in 2023. Expected to start.
QB Alex Orji (Michigan transfer) – Dual-threat option, physical red-zone runner, will rotate in.
Supporting Cast – C Reid Williams (FCS Rimington winner, Chattanooga) and WR Troy Omeire (Arizona State) headline the newcomers.
Defensive Leaders
LB Marsel McDuffie – Preseason All-Mountain West, captain of the defense.
CB Denver Harris – Former 5-star, now a featured corner.
S Jaheem Joseph (WVU transfer) – Experienced communicator on the back end.
DL Jalen Lee (LSU transfer) – Big SEC body up front.
Idaho State Bengals (0–0, 0–0 Big Sky)
Building Under Hawkins
Head coach Cody Hawkins enters Year 3 of a full-scale rebuild. After going 1–10 in 2022, ISU improved to 5–7 in 2024, boasting a high-scoring offense but a defense that allowed nearly 38 points per game.
Offensive Leaders
QB Jordan Cooke (R-Jr.) – 6’4, 234, newly named starter. Redshirted in 2024, but showed flashes in 2023 after transferring from Diablo Valley CC. Needs composure against UNLV’s speed.
RB Dason Brooks (Sr.) – Converted linebacker who became the lead back. Ran for 506 yards (6.3 YPC, 4 TDs) in 2024.
OL Stryker Rashid (Sr.) – All-Big Sky selection, anchors one of the FCS’s better pass-pro units (just 10 sacks allowed last year).
Defensive Leaders
LB Nathan Reynolds (Sr.) – 92 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries in 2024.
S Mason Young (Sr.) – Veteran safety, 77 tackles, preseason All-Big Sky.
New DC Grant Duff (Weber State) – Brings an aggressive, one-gap system to replace the 3-3-5.
Special Teams
K Gabe Panikowski (Jr.) – Perfect 15-for-15 on field goals in 2024.
Series History
Overall: UNLV leads 7–2.
In Las Vegas: Rebels 7–0.
In Pocatello: Bengals 2–0.
Largest Rebel Win: 80–8 (2015).
Largest Bengal Win: 64–34 (1970, first game at Holt Arena).
Last Meeting: UNLV 52–21 in 2022 at Allegiant.
Trend: Every game in the series has been won by the home team.
Keys to the Game
For UNLV:
Establish Thomas early and control the trenches.
Rotate both QBs smoothly without disrupting rhythm.
Clear defensive communication while rotating frequently.
MUST stay healthy with a tougher road test ahead at Sam Houston.
For Idaho State:
Protect Jordan Cooke against UNLV’s front.
Use Brooks to stay on schedule and avoid obvious passing downs.
Pressure UNLV’s new quarterbacks and force mistakes.
Finish red zone drives with touchdowns, not field goals.
Betting Angle
UNLV has been one of the most reliable early-season plays in the country. Since 2022, the Rebels are a perfect 12–0 against the spread (ATS) in their first four games of the season. That streak includes non-conference blowouts and Mountain West openers alike, a sign that the Rebels have consistently started fast under multiple staffs.
For today’s opener:
• Spread: UNLV –30.5
• Total: 66.5
Oddsmakers expect another lopsided result at Allegiant. Given the Rebels’ ATS trend, Idaho State faces more than just a roster mismatch; they’re up against one of the most profitable early-season teams in college football.
Prediction
UNLV won’t show much; they don’t need to. Expect a limited playbook, controlled reps, and plenty of rotations. The Rebels should dominate at the line of scrimmage, move the ball efficiently on the ground, and create enough defensive disruption to stay in command.
Idaho State may find a few plays with Cooke’s arm and Brooks’ legs, but the talent gap is wide.
Prediction: UNLV 59, Idaho State 14
The Rebels roll in Mullen’s debut and turn their focus to a tougher Week 1 trip at Sam Houston, where the real chess match begins.